Controversial plans to dump millions of tons of power station ash into two lakes near Radley have been suspended after the Environment Agency raised fears about flooding.

The owner of the coal-fired Didcot A station, RWE npower, has asked Oxfordshire County Council to defer taking a decision on its planning application while it investigates "technical queries" raised by objectors.

The Environment Agency says it is worried that filling the old gravel pits could flood the surrounding land and properties. RWE npower will carry out further assessments and report back in January.

Campaigners, who have the backing of leading wildlife supporter David Bellamy, say they have the company on the run.

But RWE says it is not abandoning its plans.

Dan Taylor from the Environment Agency said: "We are concerned that filling the two lakes could increase the risk of flooding so we have lodged an objection. For us to remove our objection, npower needs to be able to convince us that the proposals will not increase the risk of flooding to any properties, and downstream towards Abingdon."

Basil Crowley, chairman of the Save Radley Lakes campaign, said the news was a major boost.